"Kneel!"
"I can let your insolence slide this once."
A furious voice echoed through the forest like heavenly thunder.
The burly man's eyes gleamed with ferocity as he stepped out of the deep pit, soul rings lighting up around his feet.
Nine soul rings – black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red, red – signified his strength as a Titled Douluo.
But the color combination sent a shiver down Wang Zhong's spine.
Five black, four red!
Across the entire continent, Wang Zhong had never heard of anyone possessing such terrifying soul rings.
Even his teacher, Bibi Dong, who possessed twin spirits, only had five black soul rings for her second spirit. The last four were left empty due to a lack of suitable spirit beasts.
Yet, the man before him, who didn't possess twin spirits, had achieved what even a twin spirit user might not be able to.
A mighty, hundred-zhang blood-red giant ape materialized behind the burly man. Its beastly eyes glowed like lanterns, its muscles coiled like dragons, and blood-red fur, as hard as steel needles, covered its body like an impenetrable armor.
An endless aura of ferocity and bloodlust permeated the space the moment the giant ape appeared. A pressure as heavy as a mountain and as vast as the sea bore down, forcing Wang Zhong's legs to bend and veins to bulge on his forehead.
Streaks of angry thunder fell from the sky, carrying the might of heaven and earth, striking the giant ape heavily. It seemed as though they intended to obliterate this monstrous entity, but no matter how violent the lightning, it couldn't harm the ape in the slightest. Instead, the lightning coursed through its steel-needle-like fur, only enhancing its terrifying appearance.
Like a demon, like a god!
"Eight Gates Formation, First Gate, Open!"
"Second Gate, Open!"
"Third Gate, Open!"
Three gates within his body slammed open, unleashing a torrent of soul power that allowed Wang Zhong to barely withstand the opponent's terrifying pressure.
Clenching his fists, Wang Zhong gritted his teeth, lifting his head once more with an untamed spirit, like a wild horse, a majestic lion, or a lone wolf that would never yield.
"Is this all you've got!"
His mocking voice made the burly man's tiger-like eyes widen. He slowly approached Wang Zhong, baring his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin.
"Such bones! They're tough! They'll surely be chewy when eaten!"
"You want to experience my strength? Very well, I shall grant you your wish!"
Falling lightning rained down, streaks of thunder piercing the sky and striking the earth. Thick, barrel-like bolts of thunder continuously struck the giant ape behind the burly man. Occasionally, small, snake-like tendrils would lash out at him, but they caused no change.
This body treated the thunder as if it were nothing!
In Wang Zhong's perception, the entire world suddenly became scorching hot, practically boiling. Waves of heat, originating from an unknown source, evaporated the moisture from the air. The ground beneath his feet cracked and split as if it had been dry for years.
Trees spontaneously combusted, engulfed by raging flames, like hell descending.
Under Wang Zhong's trembling gaze, another soul ring rose from beneath the feet of the burly man before him!
A crimson-gold soul ring!
The moment this soul ring appeared, the pressure on Wang Zhong's body increased a thousandfold, as if he were carrying an immense mountain. The blood within him surged, almost boiling and churning, igniting his own being.
"The tenth soul ring!"
"How is this possible!"
Wang Zhong, his body trembling and on the verge of collapsing under the immense pressure, his legs sinking deep into the earth, squeezed out these words through gritted teeth.
Even a Titled Douluo only had nine soul rings. Why did this person before him have ten? Such a thing was beyond Wang Zhong's comprehension.
"Surprising, isn't it? And unbelievable?"
"In our Sacred Spirit Cult, only two people possess this soul ring: myself, and the Left Protector!"
"This crimson-gold soul ring is called the Blood Qi Soul Ring."
"It is forged by igniting one's own blood qi, body, and strength with the flame of one's soul and belief, undergoing a hellish sea of fire to refine it!"
"It is the ultimate manifestation of physical strength in this world."
The burly man looked at Wang Zhong, who was stubbornly enduring, his tone filled with immense pride.
To obtain this soul ring, he had endured endless pain and hardship. His flesh was ground to dust, his bones pulverized, his soul and spirit burned in flames year after year. Finally, through a sliver of luck and the favor of the Cult Master, he had barely obtained it.
Though painful, the reward was well worth it.
With the Blood Qi Soul Ring, he had risen from the lowest ranks of the Sacred Spirit Cult elders to the fourth position!
The Blood Qi Soul Ring was incredibly compatible with his body and spirit!
As soon as he activated the Blood Qi Soul Ring, his strength would surge to terrifying heights, almost without limit.
Human Demon! Titan! Ning Wudi! These were his names.
The Fourth Elder of the Sacred Spirit Cult, a being once believed to be dead, had returned.
Wang Zhong, however, did not know his name, nor did he know that this person had once been killed.
Otherwise, he would never believe what he saw and heard, nor would he believe that someone could be resurrected from the dead!
Life has only one chance, a law that has existed since life began.
"Although this soul ring was born from my own body, the power it grants me is endless! It amplifies my strength a thousandfold."
"If you agree to become my disciple, I will personally help you condense a Blood Qi Soul Ring when you achieve Titled Douluo!"
The Human Demon's tone had become calm at this moment, even laced with a strong sense of temptation.
For a soul master who prioritized physical strength, a thousandfold increase in physical power was an irresistible temptation for anyone.
Strength, power – who would ever think they had too much of either!
If anyone did, they were simply an idiot.
On a continent where strength was paramount, those without power didn't even have the right to live.
Except for food, of course!
"Heh, to be coveted by a demon like you is the ultimate insult to me, Wang Zhong!"
"From head to toe, inside and out, where do I give off the impression of being an evil soul master?"
"You truly have dog's eyes!"
Wang Zhong shouted angrily.
Why would he give up being the Pope's disciple to become an evil soul master? Only a madman would make such a choice.
His eyes were filled with ferocity and impatience. He had invited, persuaded, and given opportunities time and again, but the other party remained disdainful.
Such an attitude had already disgusted the Human Demon.
"Since you refuse, then you shall die!"
Infinite killing intent emanated from his body, further intensifying the thunder in the sky. The fierce lightning writhed like dragons.
"You want me dead? Then try it!"
"If you kill me, you'll have to leave your own life behind!"
Wang Zhong held his chin high, his expression filled with arrogance and fearlessness, standing tall like a mountain.
"Eight Gates Formation, Fourth Gate, Gate of Pain, Open!"
"Eight Gates Formation, Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit, Open!"
"Eight Gates Formation, Sixth Gate, Gate of Life, Open!"